By Mary Jane Farmer, for the Van Alstyne News, Scene In Town

Van Alstyne Police Lt. Steven Hayslip reported on the following arrests, made since the first of 2024.

Automobile burglaries — On January. 4, multiple calls made to dispatchers had officers going to several locations between U.S. Hwy 75 and SH 5, and police located four vehicles which had been burglarized. They also identified two suspects and recovered stolen property, Hayslip said.

Both suspects are from Van Alstyne. One is a juvenile and was taken to the Grayson County Juvenile Detention Center. Police obtained arrest warrants on the adult and jailed him in the Grayson County Jail on four charges of Burglary of a Motor Vehicle. The adult suspect posted a total of $8,000 bail in surety bonds, which have conditions set on them. He was released on that bail the following day.

Assault arrest — On January 4, police were dispatched to a home in the 500 block of Hickory Ridge Drive, regarding a disturbance in progress. They made contact with both of the involved people. Their on-site investigation determined that the suspect, a Denison woman, had assaulted her boyfriend. He suffered minor injuries, but did not require medical attention.

Police jailed the suspect on a charge of Assault Causing Bodily Injury/Family Violence for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend. The victim suffered minor injuries. However, he did not require medical attention.

The suspect had several previous Driving While Intoxicated offenses and was out on bail at the time of this assault. The last one, her third DWI charge, had her jailed in October, and the bail bondsman on that arrest came off that bail. The County charged her again with DWI 3^rd or more. A magistrate at the jail set bail on both charges at a total of $100,00 and, as of Jan. 8, she remains incarcerated.

Forgery charge — A Van Alstyne woman was jailed on January 5 a Forgery charge plus a charge of Speeding, both on warrants seeking her arrest. She sat out a cash fine of $225 on the speeding charge, and paid bail of $1,500 in surety bonds on the Forgery Charge. The suspect was released from Grayson County Jail on January 6.

Assault and more  — On Jan. 7, police jailed a Van Alstyne man on two Tarrant County warrants. One charged him with Assault on a Family Member with a Previous Conviction and the other with DWI 3^rd or more. Total bail has been set at $70,000 and this suspect remains in jail as of Jan. 8.

By Mary Jane Farmer,  for the Van Alstyne News on SceneInTown.com

This has been a real honor and privilege to be trusted with these children’s heart-felt wishes.  

The Van Alstyne Public Library is and has been “The Official North Pole Postal Express” and taking in and sending off Letters to Santa. It provides a form, which simplifies the process for the very young — and probably for those adults who helped the youngsters. They could check one of three: “This year I have been: Very Nice, Naughty, or/and Naughty & Nice.” Then, they explained one or more things that they did that was nice, and followed that with the enviable “This year for Christmas I would like…”

Oh, yeah — Santa made time and answered each letter the following day.

And another ‘oh, yeah’ — The kiddos’ names have been changed here so as to keep their wishes a secret from everyone except Santa.

A third ‘oh yeah’  — The Public Library, 151 West Cooper, will be continuing the Letters to Santa Project from now through December 21.

MARIA, age 3— Been very nice and has “Listen to Mommy, Listen to my teacher, and Clean my toys.” For Christmas, Maria wants a BABY.

TAMMY, age 7, has been very nice by helping with an angel tree and by hugging Papa. She wants three things this year: a Karaoke Machine, Make Up, and Squish Mallows.

CANDY, age 10, checked Naughty & Nice, and has been giving craons (crayons) to her brothers. All she wants this year is a Digital Wach (watch).

“Christmas Tree, oh Christmas tree – how lovely are your branches.”

ISAAC is age 2, and wholeheartedly clicked that he has been very nice this years, but didn’t give any of his crowning achievements. He did say he wants some Pokemon stuff, or more specifically, a Pokemon Binder.

HUDSON, age 5, scratched through the ‘very” and just checked ‘Nice.’  His best achievements were that he made donations to the local Angel tree and also helped the coach in PE at Sanford. Hudson wants a Dirt Bike, Nintendo Games, and a RC CAR.

BETSY, age 9, has been Very Nice; has held the door for a stranger, and donated for an Angel. This young angel wants Roller Scates (skates), a Squishmellow, and Moms Job.

DANDI, age 4, has been very nice also. She has donated toys, played with her friends, and shared her toys. She hopes Santa will bring her a Yo-Yo and a Toy Squish Poop – let’s hope she meant ‘pup.’

MARSHALL, age 5, was very nice by “helped my mom, and I played with my brothers. I also helped my Dad with projects around our new home.” For Christmas, Marshall hopes for a R C Car, a Jay Lego Set, Football Gloves, and Gold Football Cleats.

IRENA has been a very nice 3-year-old this year. She has cleaned her room, love her mom and dad, and helps mom work at car shop.  Her hopes are pink, as in a Pink Barbie  and a Pink Car.

BROOKLYN, on the other hand, has been both naughty and nice. At the age of 10, she has helped her brother with his homework and other stuff that he needed help with. This young lady hopes for “Money to Donate” and some more to money “Get my friends Christmas presents.”

This gorgeous sleigh greets people to the Van Alstyne Public Library

FRANKIE, age 5, was one very nice through the year. She “play with baby brother.” And wants a Fairy Garden from Santa.

TAYLOR, age 5, admits to having been both naughty and nice through the year. She has helped her mother around the house. Santa is asked to bring Taylor a Cat.

QUINN, no age given (Kinda like Santa himself — who really does know his age?) and was very nice this year by sharing “gum with my sister.” His hopes are for a Digital Watch.

ISIAH, age 7, was both naughty and nice and said the nice parts were that he “listen to my mommy; ate my lunch food; and wake up for school on time.” Isiah wants a Lego set and Mini Cars for Christmas.

KASS, age 29 and very nice — has been “very helpful with all.” And all Kass wants is “No gifts, just want to send a message to my Daddy (He is a star now) that I miss him and I love him so much.”

BK, age 7½, was very nice. “Visited (2 sweet little ones) when I could. I stayed with (another sweet little one) a few times when she was sick while her dad to go to work in the office.” He is asking for Mario Lego Sets, Harry Potter Lego sets, and some Nintendo switch games.

JERRIE, age 3, was both naughty & nice. This Santa fan said she “patted Mom on the back-she was having a ruff day.” She is only asking for a Cheeta Stuffy. And “PS: Eddie is creating this for me.”

URIAH, age 9½, admits to having been naughty but also nice. He “helped my mom carry her stuff to the car when she had a lot of stuff.” He wants a revt gun, even though he knows “that would be really $ expensive $.”

OLGA, age 4, was very nice all year long! She “help my mommy and play with cousin.” She’s asking Santa for a LOL Doll.

Wednesday Story Times held here inside the VA Public Library — all decorated out for the season.

TAYLOR, age 2, checked the ‘Naughty & Nice’ box, and there were so many nice things she did that she just left that column blank for us to fill in. All she asks for is Fruit Snacks, Playdough, and Dolls.

SUZIE, age 5, has been both naughty and nice, she owns up to both of those. She “Ate my dinner, helped my brother, and learn to read.” This year, Suzie wants Frozen, Elsa & Anna toys, and Lego Duplo. Unequivocally, she promises, “I will be the best kid.”

HECTOR, age 7, said he’s been ‘Muey Bien’ or Very Nice. “I pict up the poo for my mom.” He’s asking Papa Noel for a (specific) lamp.       

EVELYN is 4 years old. She clicked all three boxes, saying she’s been Very Nice, Naughty; and Naughty & Nice.” She “help my brothers, played with brothers.” She’s asking, this year, for a Barbie House, a Barbie Doll, and a LOL Doll.

And PS: If anyone sees Santa wandering around, please tell him I have a set of Frozen sunglasses, just the right size for the young ‘un who is asking for Frozen stuff.

Press Release from Texas Department of Transportation, Nov. 10, 2023
PARIS – The Texas Department of Transportation is proposing to widen US 75 in Grayson County from FM 1417 south to the Grayson-Collin County line. Property owners along this portion of US 75, along with local
government and public officials, have an opportunity to comment on the environmental review process for this project.
The purpose of this proposed project is to add capacity, improve traffic operations by converting frontage roads from two-way to one-way, add frontage road turn around opportunities, and add ramp improvements along this portion of US 75.
The project would extend approximately 14 miles, widening this portion of US 75 from two main lanes to
three main lanes in each direction. Main traffic lanes in each direction would be 12 feet wide, with 10- to 11-
foot-wide inside shoulders, and 10-foot-wide outside shoulders separated from main lanes by a two-foot-
wide concrete traffic barrier. No additional right-of-way would be required, TxDOT officials said.
Environmental documentation, studies, maps and drawings and other information pertinent to this proposed
project are on file and available for viewing at two locations: the TxDOT Paris District Office, 1365 N. Main,
Paris, Texas 75460; and the TxDOT Sherman Area Office, 3904 South US 75, Sherman, Texas, 75090.
The project materials are in English. If you need an interpreter or document translator, one will be provided
for you. These arrangements and disability access arrangements can be requested by calling (903) 737-
9213 no later than 4 p.m. Central Time at least three business days before the date you would like to review
the project materials or submit comments. Advance notice helps TxDOT arrange to provide these
accommodations.
Project materials are also available online at www.txdot.gov by searching for “US 75 Grayson County.”
Comments can be submitted in writing and mailed to TxDOT Sherman Area Office, 3904 S. US 75,
Sherman, Texas 75090; or emailed to Elecia.Moore@txdot.gov no later than Dec. 3, 2023.